Separation of small nonferrous particles using an angular rotary drum eddy-current separator with permanent magnets

The paper presents a method for separating the small metallic nonferrous particles from two component nonferrous mixtures using a new type of dynamic eddy-current separator with permanent magnets. The so called Angular Drum Eddy-Current Separator (ADECS) consists of a horizontal rotary drum covered with permanent magnets, alternately N–S and S–N oriented. The rotor is placed oblique, under the superior part of a horizontal conveyor belt, coplanar with its surface. The axis of the drum and the direction of displacement of the belt make a certain angle, depending on the physical properties of the particles subjected to the separation process. The separator functions on the basis of the jump effect of the strongly conducting particles which assume different trajectories in the active zone of the field, namely, upper part of the drum. The experimental results and comments regarding the values obtained for grade and recovery for wastes consisting in Cu–Pb and Cu–Al mixtures are given.